ELLYD

In Part 2 of my interview with ELLYD we discuss her humble beginnings as a musician as well as future goals in wake of her EP, Lighthouse. Also, read to the end to learn a little bit about youbloom’s newest project, youbloomConnect.

You’ve been writing lyrics since you were 11. How long had you been playing music before that? What did that start look like for you?

Yeah I’ve been writing songs for a while now. Music is something that I’ve always been hugely interested in – I can’t remember a time being without it. My mam and dad got me guitar lessons when I was 6 years old so I guess after that it was a natural progression to start writing songs.

What was the first track you ever produced? What’s the story behind it?

Oh god, it’s hard to remember it exactly but I do know the first song I ever wrote was about flying. That was many many years ago – I was only a kid. It was a full song though and I think it was about believing in yourself, I think!

What did success look like for you in the beginning? At what point did you begin to consider yourself “making it?”

Yeah I think at the start gigging as much as possible is a good thing to do as its important to learn and experience the different aspects of the live environment whether it be the venues, the sound, the equipment, the audiences… I think progress happened for me within music when I started to get a bit more confident in what I was doing. Having the confidence to fail and having the confidence to succeed has definitely made a big difference for me. There were times in the past when I was afraid to share songs because it made me feel very vulnerable and now that vulnerability is an ally in my creative world. After that small change, better songs, and better gigs have somehow come about.

Everything inspires me – love, life, loss, family, friends, people I meet, conversations – everything.

What do you use to inspire your writing/lyrics?

I find a lot of my songs are from sub conscious thoughts – I never really understand what they’re truly about until I finish them. Apart from that, everything inspires me – love, life, loss, family, friends, people I meet, conversations – everything.

Could you describe your creative process a bit more?

My songs usually start with me playing some chords on my guitar. Sometimes it may start on bass or keys. Then when I hear a melody, the lyrics come. Once I get the structure sorted, and I feel the song is good enough, I demo it and add all the bass, drums, keys, and whatever other instruments and sounds I want for the song. These days I usually do that on Garage band. Then if I like it enough I bring it into the studio and get it down professionally.

What hobbies do you turn to outside of music, and do you use these hobbies as musical influence or to get away from music?

Hobbies outside music? That’s a tough one. I like running and rowing but that still involves music because I would have my earphones blaring. Saying that, I’ve finished some of my songs while I’ve been out running so I guess running has influenced me musically. I love going to local gigs too, so seeing new bands would have and will no doubt in the future influence me in my music.

Going forward

**You just released your new EP, Lighthouse. Can we expect a full album to follow?**

At some point, yes. I would hope there are many albums to follow! Realistically, for the time being, I’ll be releasing more singles and perhaps another EP or two before any album.

Do you currently have something new in the works? New Project?

I’ve just demoed some new material and I hope to be back in the studio very soon.

What is your vision going forward? Tour more, grow your audience, record a lot?

I’m writing a lot at the moment. So recording more material is definitely in my immediate future. I also want to get my music into as many ears as possible so there’s talk of doing some gigs across the waters – we shall have to wait and see!

What are your biggest challenges in reaching your vision?

Juggling my paying job with my dream job.

What advice would you have for other independent artists who are trying to make it in the industry?

Keep writing, keep learning and keep it fresh.

The first time youbloom had the privilege of hosting ELLYD was at the youbloomDublin 2017 Music Festival. That year, our festival bloomed a little bit brighter. You can find plenty more from ELLYD on YouTube and Spotify and at @ELLYDMUSIC on twitter.

Since 2013, youbloom has been striving to help talented, independent artists claim the spotlight they deserve. Starting this March, we’re thrilled to roll out our newest platform to further that goal. We call it youbloomConnect and it’s almost here (the app is nearly ready)! YoubloomConnect is a crowd-sourcing platform that revolutionizes the way artists, fans, hosts, an promoters interact. Check it out.

ELLYD has played on some of Ireland’s best stages including Electric Picnic, The Secret Village Festival, Battle of the Lake Festival, The Button Factory, Whelans, and The Workmans Club. In January, the young folk-singer released her latest EP, Lighthouse, accompanied by an Irish tour which she is now in the midst of. In between gigs, ELLYD found some time to answer my questions about her career and where she sees her music taking her next.

You’re in the middle of an Irish tour right now. How is that? Where are you visiting?

Yeah it’s been great so far. I’ve been playing various venues with very different vibes so it’s been so much fun. I started off this tour with a private show at Davey Davey Salon in Dublin. Then I played at The Ruby Sessions, followed by my official launch for my EP ‘Lighthouse‘ at The Underground. I was in The Gallery Wine Bar in Westport at the start of the month and my next gig on this particular tour will be in The Spirit Store on March 15th. The wonderful Elga Fox will be joining me again so I’m very excited for that one.

How has this tour been different from your previous tour in Germany?

Germany was amazing and I really hope to go back soon. The venues I played over there were very intimate and the audiences were insanely attentive. The venues I’m playing in Ireland are mostly bigger and therefore not as intimate so it’s different in that sense. Also, over there I never knew what to expect, from the venue, sound, and the crowd. Whereas over here, I’ve a bit more of an idea. The beer is better in Germany though :)!

I’ve gotta ask, is that you in the jabawokee mask in the Lighthouse music video?

It is!

Could you tell us more about the ideas influencing the video and music for “Lighthouse?”

This song started out about a young man who didn’t feel he could go on in this world anymore. It’s obviously a sad, emotional song and I wanted to reflect that in the music. Originally the video was being made by an outside company but that fell through because of weather issues so I had to quickly come up with a different concept.

Because I was making this video myself, I needed it to be simple but effective. My friend Emma helped me out a lot and did some of the camera work for me. I wanted something that would stand out in a meaningful way so that’s where the mask came in. I suppose the idea behind the mask was that this song is not about just one person, it’s about many. The person behind the mask could be anyone.

There were times in the past when I was afraid to share songs because it made me feel very vulnerable and now that vulnerability is an ally in my creative world.

What kind of music/bands are you listening to right now?

Right now this minute, I’m listening to Dermot Kennedy. The past few days I’ve been listening a lot to VINCI’s new tune ‘We Are Ghosts‘ and James Brown has made his way back into my ears this past week too.

What’s the best show you’ve ever played? Why?

It’s hard to top Electric Picnic – just because it’s Electric Picnic.

Strangest show?

I remember I did a small Irish tour with my friend and singer/songwriter Thomas John. This one night we had a gig in Fanad – a beautiful part of Donegal. There was a small shop a few miles away that we walked to the next morning and TJ brought his guitar with us for some reason. We were just walking down this narrow country road with a guitar and singing songs.

Keep writing, keep learning and keep it fresh.

Anyway when we got to the shop (that was also a post office, chemist, butchers – you name it) the owner became a bit curious and asked us to play a few tunes. More customers came in and we kept playing. We were there for hours! It was such a mad little morning and nobody left until we did. Was definitely the strangest impromptu show I’ve ever been involved in!

You’ve come back to youbloom festivals. What benefit do you think networks like youbloom and youbloomConnect provide up and coming artists?

It’s of huge benefit. I’ve always said this music business is an endless learning environment and what better way to learn than from other people who are actually involved in this business, in whatever form. There’s such a great variety of music and people from various parts of the world that attend the youbloom Festivals.

What type of support do you think is most beneficial to independent artists trying to become successful/well-known.

Radio play, radio play, radio play.

With her EP “Lighthouse” now out and a tour underway, 2018 is bound to be a hectic and promising year for EllyD. Next week we will be releasing the rest of our interview with the artist and you can find plenty more of EllyD on YouTube and Spotify and at @ELLYDMUSIC on twitter. Youbloom is striving to help talented, independent artists gain the attention they deserve. If you like what we’re doing here, check out our newest development, youbloomConnect, where we help artists to find their fan base.

ELLYD Interview Part2